Principal’s Message
Welcome back to school, everyone!
As we embark on the 2024/25 school year, our chosen theme this year is: “THROUGH,”. It iis more than just a word—it’s a profound reflection of our faith journey and educational mission. Grounded in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength,” this theme reminds us that our strength and purpose come from Christ, enabling us to navigate and overcome the challenges we face.
The word “THROUGH” speaks to the idea of perseverance and faithfulness in the midst of life’s ups and downs. It captures the essence of moving through difficult times, learning through experiences, and growing through God’s grace. We don’t bypass struggles; we go through them, with the assurance that Christ is our source of strength.
In our educational framework, this theme seamlessly connects with the Teaching for Transformation (TfT) Throughlines, which act as the thematic velcro that binds our units of instruction. These Throughlines—such as Community Builder, Order Discoverer, Justice Seeker, and others—guide our students in seeing how each lesson and experience ties into God’s greater story. The theme of “THROUGH” will help us focus on how we, alongside our students, move through these Throughlines to live out our faith in tangible ways.
It is my deep hope this year that you encourage your child(ren) to embrace the struggle of going THROUGH difficulties this year (and moving forward) and learning to lean on Christ as they do. It is an important lesson for all of us to learn. May God grant each and every one of us the strength we each need this year.
Announcements
Parking Lot Safety
Please read below about how to navigate our lot. Also, please make sure that:
- You are only parking in designated parking spots
- You are only driving in/out through the correct entry/exit ways
- You are not driving in the bus lanes (only the two dedicated parent lanes)
- You are not driving in or through our ditches
- You are not dropping off kids by the dumpster/watershed
Our parking lot was not designed for the amount and type of traffic that we experience, so we all need to cooperate to ensure the safety of our students. These are the key procedures:
- Always enter through the south driveway and exit through the north driveway
- Drive slowly and be particularly alert during recess and noon hour when the students are outside.
- Do not drive through or park in the “BUS LANE” (the area between the school and the first row of cars) between 8:25-8:40 and 3:00-3:20 as this is when the buses are present or due to arrive.
- If you want to park and walk your child to school, please park on the far west side of the parking lot (by the basketball court). Walk toward the auditorium and then up the crosswalk.
- The middle of the parking lot is where vehicles drive through to drop off students. Students should exit vehicles quickly and make their way to school (NOT between the cars).
- Students or adults should NEVERwalk between buses.
- Yield to buses when they are arriving or leaving.
- Take extra care when backing out of a parking stall as students are not always paying attention.
- Also note – Doors open at 8:15 am for students, and classrooms open at 8:20 am.
Hot Lunch
We are excited to once again offer a weekly Hot Lunch Day! This year, Hot Lunches will be on Wednesdays.
You can find the forms for Hot Lunch in your student’s PowerSchool account. Orders will close on the Tuesday prior to the following week’s hot lunch at 11:59 pm. All orders must be placed online, and payment must be made with form submission to be processed. (No cash or cheques are accepted). Please check your email for a confirmation receipt to ensure that your order went through.
Our first Hot Lunch for this year will be Dominos Pizza and is scheduled for September 11, the deadline to complete the form is Friday, Sept. 6 at 11:59 am. Our next hot lunch will be Boston Pizza, taking place on September 18th. The deadline to order is Tuesday, September 10th at 11:59 pm The forms for all of September’s lunches are now on PowerSchool).
If you have any questions or concerns regarding Hot Lunch, you can reach our Hot Lunch Coordinator, Mrs. Hofstra, via email at: [email protected]
Terry Fox Run – Thursday, September 26, 2024
On Thursday, September 26th, all families are invited to come and cheer on CCS Students as they take part in the Terry Fox Run. This event is for all students and staff. We will begin with an Assembly at 9:00 am, which parents are welcome to attend. After our short assembly, we will take our traditional all-school photo by the front doors of the school. We will begin the walk/run at 9:45 followed by recess and regular scheduled classes.
School Council AGM – September 18, 2024 – DATE CHANGED
Are you looking to get involved at CCS? Looking for a fun way to connect with other parents? Have a chance to get to know our principal? Then come join the School Council! Our AGM is Wednesday, September 18th right after Celebration.
Please email our Chair, Candace Dreger with any questions you might have [email protected]
Celebration
We hold weekly assemblies, which we call Celebration. We alternate between Wednesday and Thursday mornings each month so our kindergarten students are each able to join us every other month.
Celebration will be held on WEDNESDAYS for the month of September.
Junior High Retreat – September 18 & 19
Our annual junior high retreat will be held on September 18 and 19 this year with Pastor Dennis Gulley as our guest speaker! We will need parent volunteers and drivers for this event! If you are planning to attend, please contact the office or your child’s homeroom teacher to let them know. You will also need to provide us with a Vulnerable Sector Check as well as an Intervention Record Check. Please contact the office if you require instructions on how to obtain them.
Lost & Found
We will post weekly pictures of our lost and found. If you see something that is your child’s, please have them stop by the table and pick it up or let the office know. All unclaimed items will be donated to a second-hand store at the end of each month.
Athletics:
Athletics
Covenant Christian School is once again starting up our athletics programming. It is a privilege for students to participate in extracurricular athletics. These athletics, unlike intramurals, are a representative team, meaning there can be cuts, and playing time is not always equal. With that said, participation is voluntary and not a requirement, nor is it an entitlement. Therefore, extra time and effort are required of those who participate. As a Christian school program, we are witnesses of God’s Kingdom, and our extra-curricular programs are an opportunity to showcase this. With that in mind, high standards must be maintained. Those who earn the privilege of representing Covenant Christian School in extracurricular athletics are expected to accept greater responsibilities as school citizens.
Participation in extracurricular athletics is open to all students provided they meet the general requirements as outlined in the CCS Athletic handbook, and any requirements specific to the activity of their choice. This does not mean all students who try out will make a team, but all have an opportunity to try.
Please read through the CCS Athletic Handbook, as it highlights some of our expectations for our parents and our athletes.
COACHES NEEDED
For those of you who are willing, it looks like we will be in search of JR HIGH BASKETBALL COACHES for the 2024/25 season! We are looking for Jr/Sr boys and girls coaches. If you are interested, please email [email protected]
Golf
We are once again offering golf for our junior high students to be a part of! The golf team will begin practicing next week and will participate in one tournament on September 19. For those who indicated they were interested in playing, the permission form is on PowerSchool to be signed.
Following the tryouts, a permission form and fees for those members who are chosen for the team will be up on PowerSchool and MUST be paid before students can participate in any further practices or the tournament.
Catch ball
We will be offering catch ball to our grade 6 students this year again! Catch ball is a team sport derived from volleyball in which the ball is caught and thrown rather than hit. The sport was started in Israel and was designed to be a simpler version of volleyball. The rules of catchball are very similar to volleyball, though by allowing the players to catch the ball before throwing it to another player or over the net, it is easier to play and learn. Those who have indicated they are interested will be having practices begin towards the end of September and will have two tournaments to participate in in October.
Volleyball
The volleyball season is drawing near. Tryouts have begun this week. We’re looking forward to another great season of volleyball!
Cross Country Running
Stay tuned for further information on this event as well!
LSCE News:
Invoices for Tuition
Invoices will be sent out in the next few weeks either via email or Canada Post depending on what you selected on your Returning Student or CCS Enrolment form.
If you have any questions regarding payment of tuition, please contact Lisa Gatzke at 780-614-1557 or email her at [email protected].
Fundraising Opportunities
Davison Orchards
Thank you to all of those who ordered from our Davison Orchards Fundraiser. Orders were due, September 3rd. If you have not yet paid, please do so at your earliest convenience. Payments can be sent to [email protected] or call Lisa Gatzke at 780-614-1557 to make payment over the phone. Pick-up will be on September 10th
To keep up to date on all fundraising opportunities, please follow us on social media.
FACEBOOK – Fundraising
Calendar:
September:
- 10 – Davison Orchards Order Pick Up
- 11 – Dominos Hot lunch
- 18 – School Council AGM (immediately following Celebration)
- 18 & 19 – Junior High Retreat
- 20 – PD Day – No School
- 25 – Swimming Lessons Begin for Grades 3 & 4
- 26 – Terry Fox Run
- 29 – Orange Shirt Day
- 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – No School
October:
- 09 – BGSD School Trustee Visit
- 09 – Individual AND Class Photos (grade configuration will be determined closer to this date)
- 10 – Individual AND Class Photos (grade configuration will be determined closer to this date)
- 11 – PD Day – No School
- 14 – Thanksgiving Day – No School
- 24-25 – Christian School Teachers’ Convention (Taber) – No School
Community Events:
Leduc Track Club
The Bole X-Country Classis is coming up on October 10th for the Leduc Track Club. Please see Leduc Track Club for more information.
GEMS
Odds & Ends:
Sign In/Out Form:Sign In/Out Form:
Scan Me
Please use the above QR code, orthis link, to sign your child in or out from the building. You can also come into the school and use the Chromebook provided in the office. Please make sure to let the office know you have collected your child before leaving the parking lot (phone call/eye contact) and ask your child to check in at the office when they enter or leave. This ensures everyone is accounted for appropriately in the case of an emergency.
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